I am not a detective but an apprentice appraiser

Episodes : 12

Genre : Mystery

Airing Date : July 2018 - September 2018

Studios : Seven

Contains Spoilers

Kyoto Teramachi Sanjou no Holmes Introduction

In the Teramachi Sanjou Shopping district exists an antique shop known well for the skills of the owner’s son. It is here that our Mashiro Aoi finds herself one day after breaking up with her boyfriend who cheated on her. Aoi meets the owner’s son, Yagashira Kiyotaka, who is also known as the “Holmes at Teramachi Sanjou.” While he may boast about his appraisal skills, it’s his deductive abilities that draw people in.

1. Culture

One of the top reasons to watch Kyoto Teramachi Sanjou no Holmes has to be the references to different parts of Japanese art and specifically Kyoto culture that are mentioned. The first episode talks about the Aoi Matsuri, which is an actual event in Japan. Meanwhile, Holmes is a rather proud appraiser who looks at different pieces of art and ceramic throughout the series, often citing different facts about the piece or its creator. If you were the type who watched Ouran High School Host Club ep 2 and loved the ability to differentiate different tea sets, you may enjoy this aspect of Kyoto Teramachi Sanjou no Holmes.

2. Not “Too” Anything

Compared to a lot of anime this season, the plot line wasn’t super extremely serious, stupid, or funny. Unlike all of the other bishounen anime that took themselves too seriously, Kyoto Teramachi Sanjou no Holmes didn’t really seem to fall in the same category as them nor anything else this season. Really, Kyoto Teramachi Sanjou no Holmes isn’t really “too” anything, which makes it a decent casual anime for the season. You don’t get pulled into the plot or feel attached to any characters. You just watch to have it on, and sometimes we need something just like that.

Why You Should Skip Kyoto Teramachi Sanjou no Holmes

1. Weak Plot

So while the anime may be good for a casual anime, it’s clear they didn’t really know what they were doing with the plot all that much. Kiyotaka has an ongoing minor feud with someone who enjoys making replicas and deceiving people, but it doesn’t really lead to anything. Similarly, Aoi has her inner struggles with her ex-boyfriend and best friend dating, yet it’s very weakly resolved and rarely discussed except for brief moments as if to remind you that Aoi is going through something. Really, both of these plot points felt like after thoughts.

2. Fake Romance

That being said, despite trying to give Kiyotaka and Aoi background stories that may perhaps be about delving into their character more, the writers also gave us this really sad fake romance. By sad, I mean pathetic. You get this idea that they might possibly like each other, especially in the later episodes when people are constantly asking them both about their feelings for the other, and yet, nothing. Kiyotaka even resolves his own issues with his ex, but for no real reason other than to bring her into the story, I guess. While Kyoto Teramachi Sanjou no Holmes is supposed to be a mystery anime, it feels a lot like a shoujo romance anime that really led nowhere.

3. Mundane Mysteries

Oh speaking of this being a mystery anime, the mysteries in here are just boring. Kyoto Teramachi Sanjou no Holmes makes a great deal out of making Kiyotaka appear a lot like Sherlock Holmes in terms of deduction, but all of the mysteries feel very arbitrarily thrown together and Kiyotaka just so happens to be astute enough to know everything even with the most basic stuff, and he uses his appraisal skills to go along with it. The mysteries are so mundane and uninteresting that you are not glued to your seat trying to figure out the messages and meanings behind everything because of how well things just wrap up in the end with so little information given to a viewer. Like how are you supposed to know all of the history behind an artist and so that’s why the person who died gave them that exact wall scroll?

Final Thoughts

Overall, whether we liked Kyoto Teramachi Sanjou no Holmes or not, it’s really up to you to see how you really feel about it. What do you think? Were you interested in the anime? Are you against it? Did you end up watching it and have some feelings you want to share? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below!

Editor

Author: Jenangelx3

California based workaholic. Current mottos are “I don’t care” and “I’ll try almost anything once”. Interests include traveling, eating, video games, and weightlifting. Currently living life to the fullest, pursuing my happiness, and conquering my fears. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu!